I'm here to celebrate the first book in my new Highland Spies series, My Highland Spy.
Laird Ruairi Sutherland and Lady Ravenna Walsingham were so much fun to write. The Highland Spies series is based around four English sisters and their escapades in the Scottish Highlands. The eldest sister, Ravenna, is a spy for the Crown and her sisters don't know of her extracurricular activities.
When Ravenna learns her next assignment is in the Scottish Highlands, she's far from pleased. She's spied on men who’ve conspired against the realm, uncovered a wealthy lord’s machinations in selling secrets to the French, discovered a traitor before he made his escape to the colonies, and now she's asked to masquerade as a governess for some Highland laird’s child.
Ruairi is not thrilled to have an Englishwoman show up on his doorstep. The last he needs is the English under his roof teaching his son not to be Scottish. Here's a fun excerpt where Ruairi and Ravenna meet for the first time.
“She’s here.”
“Damn.”
“Aye, well ’tis too late to turn her away now, Ruairi. What did ye expect? How long did ye think ye’d be able to hold King James at bay? Ye havenae shown your face in Edinburgh and didnae send Torquil—”
Laird Ruairi Sutherland thundered his way to the great hall and didn’t even wait for the captain of his guard to finish his comment. Why would he? Fagan clearly knew how Ruairi felt about the Crown. As if he would send his only son to the Lowlands to learn the King’s English. King James had no respect for Scotland or its people. And Ruairi would be damned if he’d give in without a fight.
He entered the great hall and walked toward the English lass. Her brown hair was pulled back into a tight, unflattering bun. Her face was austere, her manner haughty. The woman acted as if she graced him with her presence. He didn’t like her at all.
“A bheil GÃ idhlig agad?” Do you speak Gaelic?
The woman merely stood there mute.
He looked at Fagan and smirked. Turning back toward the woman, Ruairi’s eyes darkened. “Thalla dachaigh.” Go home.
“Just place the trunk right there. Thank you.”
Ruairi’s eyes widened in surprise as another woman entered the great hall. Her smooth ivory skin glowed. She had a wealth of red hair in loose tendrils that softened her face, and her lips were full and rounded over even teeth. She was elegant and graceful. He wasn’t sure what an English governess was supposed to look like, but she wasn’t what he’d expected.
She wore a blue traveling dress with tight sleeves and a low-pointed waist that clung to her slender body. And for the first time since he could remember, he had no words to express the sight before him. The woman was simply beautiful. She lifted her skirts and walked over to him, greeting him with a warm smile.
“I see you’ve met my driver’s wife, Mary. You must be Laird Sutherland. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Mistress Denny.”
Carried away by his own response, Ruairi failed to notice that the woman waited for him to answer. He also had one hell of a time trying to suppress his admiration. When her cheeks reddened under the heat of his gaze, he cleared his throat and nodded at Fagan.
“’Tis a pleasure to meet ye. I am Fagan, the captain of Laird Sutherland’s guard.” The lass looked puzzled, and then Fagan added, “My laird doesnae speak English.”
Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “I see. And what of Lady Sutherland?”
Fagan paused. “Lady Sutherland has passed away.”
Ruairi eventually came to his senses when the pounding of his heart finally quieted. Although the woman was pleasing to the eye, she could keep her English ways to herself, as far as he was concerned. He was determined not to make this easy for her—as if he would roll over like a good dog because his liege demanded obedience. As soon as King James gave the Highland lairds the respect they deserved, perhaps he would feel differently. But for now, Ruairi certainly wasn’t going to tell the lass that he understood every word she spoke.
Laird Ruairi Sutherland and Lady Ravenna Walsingham were so much fun to write. The Highland Spies series is based around four English sisters and their escapades in the Scottish Highlands. The eldest sister, Ravenna, is a spy for the Crown and her sisters don't know of her extracurricular activities.
When Ravenna learns her next assignment is in the Scottish Highlands, she's far from pleased. She's spied on men who’ve conspired against the realm, uncovered a wealthy lord’s machinations in selling secrets to the French, discovered a traitor before he made his escape to the colonies, and now she's asked to masquerade as a governess for some Highland laird’s child.
Ruairi is not thrilled to have an Englishwoman show up on his doorstep. The last he needs is the English under his roof teaching his son not to be Scottish. Here's a fun excerpt where Ruairi and Ravenna meet for the first time.
“She’s here.”
“Damn.”
“Aye, well ’tis too late to turn her away now, Ruairi. What did ye expect? How long did ye think ye’d be able to hold King James at bay? Ye havenae shown your face in Edinburgh and didnae send Torquil—”
Laird Ruairi Sutherland thundered his way to the great hall and didn’t even wait for the captain of his guard to finish his comment. Why would he? Fagan clearly knew how Ruairi felt about the Crown. As if he would send his only son to the Lowlands to learn the King’s English. King James had no respect for Scotland or its people. And Ruairi would be damned if he’d give in without a fight.
He entered the great hall and walked toward the English lass. Her brown hair was pulled back into a tight, unflattering bun. Her face was austere, her manner haughty. The woman acted as if she graced him with her presence. He didn’t like her at all.
“A bheil GÃ idhlig agad?” Do you speak Gaelic?
The woman merely stood there mute.
He looked at Fagan and smirked. Turning back toward the woman, Ruairi’s eyes darkened. “Thalla dachaigh.” Go home.
“Just place the trunk right there. Thank you.”
Ruairi’s eyes widened in surprise as another woman entered the great hall. Her smooth ivory skin glowed. She had a wealth of red hair in loose tendrils that softened her face, and her lips were full and rounded over even teeth. She was elegant and graceful. He wasn’t sure what an English governess was supposed to look like, but she wasn’t what he’d expected.
She wore a blue traveling dress with tight sleeves and a low-pointed waist that clung to her slender body. And for the first time since he could remember, he had no words to express the sight before him. The woman was simply beautiful. She lifted her skirts and walked over to him, greeting him with a warm smile.
“I see you’ve met my driver’s wife, Mary. You must be Laird Sutherland. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Mistress Denny.”
Carried away by his own response, Ruairi failed to notice that the woman waited for him to answer. He also had one hell of a time trying to suppress his admiration. When her cheeks reddened under the heat of his gaze, he cleared his throat and nodded at Fagan.
“’Tis a pleasure to meet ye. I am Fagan, the captain of Laird Sutherland’s guard.” The lass looked puzzled, and then Fagan added, “My laird doesnae speak English.”
Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “I see. And what of Lady Sutherland?”
Fagan paused. “Lady Sutherland has passed away.”
Ruairi eventually came to his senses when the pounding of his heart finally quieted. Although the woman was pleasing to the eye, she could keep her English ways to herself, as far as he was concerned. He was determined not to make this easy for her—as if he would roll over like a good dog because his liege demanded obedience. As soon as King James gave the Highland lairds the respect they deserved, perhaps he would feel differently. But for now, Ruairi certainly wasn’t going to tell the lass that he understood every word she spoke.
“An exciting Highland tale of intrigue,
betrayal, and love.”
—Hannah Howell, New York Times bestselling
author of Highland Master
“Roberts’
newest features a surprise-laden, quick-paced plot, replete with unconventional
and fiercely independent characters. Her lyrical prose grabs readers’
attention, and the high level of emotional tension simply adds to the depth of
the story. This book begs to be read and reread.”
—RT Book
Reviews
Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BCZNW8
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1l4KJa5
Indigo:
http://bit.ly/1iSeyP0
Books-a-Million: http://bit.ly/VFXnFe
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/WR8U5Z
Website: www.victoriarobertsauthor.com
GIVEAWAY: Win an autographed copy of My Highland Spy, a Highland Spies' t-shirt, an autographed postcard and bookmarks (US and Canada only, please.) Leave a comment and tell me your favorite spy movie. Winner will be drawn Wednesday, September 10th.
Love the James Bond movies and Sean Connery...growl and purrrrrr
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway opportunity
Indeed, Sandy. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love the Bourne movies. *)
ReplyDeleteI love them too, Racheal. I think they're very entertaining with tons of action.
DeleteThis is for sure on my want list! I love spy movies and books. :) I have to admit the Bourne movies are my top favorites with James Bond coming in quick second. Mr & Mrs. Smith makes me laugh out loud and is good for a comedy spy movie.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. Oh, I love Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Brad and Angelina are so darned cute!
DeleteClear and Present Danger with Harrison Ford! Love to win this book too.
ReplyDeleteOh, Clear and Present Danger was a fabulous movie, Joanne. I love Harrison Ford!
DeleteMr. and Mrs. Smith :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Erin. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI liked the James Bond flicks but I loved "Casablanca" .....now that was a movie!! And I do love reading the Scottish novels!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, you've come to the right place for the Scottish novels. ;-)
DeletePlease make sure you leave another comment with your e-mail address so that you may be contacted in the event you are the winner of the contest.
James Bond with Sean Connery
DeleteJames Bond. Thsnks for giveaway. Looking forward to reading book
ReplyDeleteCute name, Sponge Bob. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteNo problem :)
DeleteThere are so many good ones but I too have to pick Sean Connery as James Bond - being Scottish and that accent definitely help lo.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Nobody does it better. ;-)
DeleteThe spies of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Smiley's People. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer. I'm glad to see so many readers love spies.
DeleteLove that cover and the excerpt. I have my copy already. Congrats on the release :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Shana!
DeleteNice cover. James Bond
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Deletejames bond peg260@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy. I see we have another Bond fan.
DeleteFunny spy movie with Arnold and Jamie Lee, but all time favorites are any of the James Bond movies with Sean Connery...He Rocks!
ReplyDeleteOh, that movie is great! And yes, Sean Connery is a wonderful Bond.
DeleteMy favorite spy movies... James Bond- with Sean Connery as 007. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteluvs2read4fun(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Amanda. I never tire of Bond movies, too.
Delete007 Always Sean Connery - the best
ReplyDeleteHi Shari. I love the majority of 007's, but yes, Mr. Connery is my favorite, too.
DeleteBond movies beat out all others for me. Sean Connery was my favorite Bond until Daniel Craig came along. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Glenda. Skyfall was excellent, especially in Scotland. ;-)
DeleteI like Pierce Brosnan
ReplyDeleteCharlene
gmgypsiesf1@aol.com
I always thought he'd make a great Bond, too.
DeleteCan't wait to read this one! Congrats on your new release!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new release, Amanda! I can't wait to read yours, too!
DeleteMy favorite spy movie is Salt staring Angelina Jolie.
ReplyDeleteSalt was a great movie, Tina. I really like Angelina Jolie's roles.
DeleteLove the cover to your book. I am fan of the James Bond movies. :)
ReplyDeleteCrystal816[at] Hotmail [dot}com
Hi Crystal. Thanks so much. Jon Paul did the artwork for the cover. Isn't he amazing? Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThe Bourne movies were awesome but I cannot forget Daniel Craig coming out of the water in his version of 007... and people may not be a fan of Steve Carrell's Get Smart but I think he's hilarious on that one.
ReplyDeleteI love your Scottish books Victoria!!
Oh, yes. How could anyone forget that scene? ;-)
DeleteA belated Happy Book Birthday, Victoria! So thrilled to see Ruairi and Ravenna's story out in the world...and I am so in love with that cover!
ReplyDeleteHi Cat. That cover is beautiful! Thanks for all your work, and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteAll of James Bond movies :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Bond movies are my favorites--Sean or Pierce.
ReplyDeleteI love Charade. Cary Grant, yum! and Audrey Hepburn, how can you beat that?
ReplyDeleteI recently watched SALT... loved it. New author to me, would love the chance to win. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove the book.. Favorite spy movie? Have to go with Pierce Brosnan as Bond, James Bond.
ReplyDeleteI am a James Bond girl myself.
ReplyDeleteI love Recency spy stories, set in the Highlands-perfect! Looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteBond, James Bond but with Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan. Sorry just forgot to add this.
ReplyDeleteI love the James Bond movies with Sean, Roger, and Pierce. My second favorite is the Bourne series. Thanks for the giveaway Victoria!
ReplyDeleteAny James Bond movie as long as Sean Connery is in it.
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria, I'm a fan of the "Bourne" movies!! Love your books, your covers are wonderful!!! xo
ReplyDeleteI love the James Bond movies....some of my favorites. Thank you for the chance to win the prize!
ReplyDeleteJust bought this book at Barnes last night!! So excited to read it!! Love the names Ravenna and Ruairi :)
ReplyDeleteThe Bourne Identity and after that, the Sean Connery James Bond, but especially Goldfinger.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new release, Victoria!
email: sistertyme-at-yahoo.com
James Bond and Sean Connery......the Hot Scot!
ReplyDelete********************CONTEST IS CLOSED********************************
ReplyDeleteThe winner is... Gretchen! Congratulations, and thank you to everyone who left a comment. You are all the best part of what I do.
ReplyDelete